Chapter 22 – Chapter 4. Swarm.
The count’s daughter is dead.
Jihyeok leaned against the window and pondered. If the Count did indeed call upon the necromancer to raise her daughter, she would be somewhere in her closet.
But all it could do to get the corpse to move again was to literally just get it up and get it moving. Without reason, it was just a monster. … Just a corpse monster.
Not a daughter, just a ghoul.
Of course, he had something to check first. Just in time, it was getting dark. It was just right to avoid multiple eyes.
He quickly left the lodging building and headed to the cemetery in the corner of the castle. The door there was locked with a thick padlock.
But for Jihyeok, opening a lock like this was not a chore. When he went out of the castle earlier, he had bought some irons in advance.
After taking a quick look around, he unlocked the lock with amazing skill. There was a click, and it opened lightly.
Done.
He opened the thick iron door and entered. Knock off. It was heavy and scratched against the stone floor, making a metallic sound.
There was a musty smell in the eerie cemetery. He flicked a flint on the candlestick he had brought earlier to light it and looked around the cemetery. Then he found the location of the count’s daughter.
… It’s here.
Jihyeok saw the iron plate with Liliana’s name on it. Next to it was a dried and twisted flower. The coffins were crammed in like closets.
With a candlestick, he checked the compartment where the count’s daughter’s coffin was placed. Of course, compared to everything else.
… Also.
Only around the coffin of a woman named Liliana was less dusty. It was evident that it had been taken out once and put back in. Of course, it was difficult to take that alone as proof.
Jihyeok put his palm next to the coffin. And he spread mana. Very focused
Empty The coffin was empty.
As expected, the bad premonition did not go astray. Jihyeok removed his hand from the coffin and let out a long sigh.
This made it highly probable that the count was an accomplice. However, this still could not be called conclusive evidence. It was meaningless in the end if he couldn’t find the count’s daughter who had become a ghoul.
Jihyeok carefully came out of the cemetery. Then he locked the door again with the padlock, and he quickly returned to his lodgings.
At that time, the night crows were already halfway in the sky. The sun had already disappeared on the other side.
He entered the room and sat down on the bed.
… I figured it out so far. But this was the problem.
If there was enough time, it seemed impossible to find the count’s daughter who had become a ghoul tonight. You know exactly where you are in this wide intro.
Of course, they are enshrined in a secret space created by the Count, but the Count, who clearly sensed something suspicious, wouldn’t even go there until they left. Because there’s no need to give it a chance.
Even if they were lucky enough to find the ghoul, the real problem was next.
… Did finding a ghoul really change anything? If I put it right in front of the count’s nose, he might even try to keep his mouth shut. It is a very serious sin to lure a necromancer. Even a count would have a hard time ignoring it.
Anyway, even if I took off all the four legs, honestly, the day was too short. In fact, it was thanks to his skillfulness born from experience that he found out this far.
… I can’t help it. I have to give up on this job.
Having concluded, Jihyeok crossed over to the warrior’s room. She looked at him with a wry smile.
“How’s work going?”
“I even made sure that the count’s daughter’s body wasn’t in the coffin.”
Hearing that sound, the hero’s laughter disappeared in an instant. She, too, noticed that things had turned out to be much bigger than expected.
“… So?”
“I think the count seduced the necromancer and turned his dead daughter into a ghoul.”
“Evidence?”
“I couldn’t find it. Yet.”
Ha-.
The fairy let out a long sigh. She glared at Jihyuk. And the words he expected came out of her mouth without fail.
“… Let’s stop here It’s too dangerous. Now hands off.”
Of course, Jihyeok also thought about giving up. … However, I can’t back down easily.
Jihyeok was always on the right side. In her logic, she had no choice but to be pushed back a little.
“With a little help from the hero, it can be solved.”
“You… , Still can’t figure out the situation?”
The fairy’s voice softened.
“This is the count’s headquarters. We’re right in the middle of it. Do you think we’ll be safe if he decides to attack us? I can’t even guarantee my life.”
“He said he was looking for evidence.”
“That is, ha… , I didn’t know things would grow this big. If I had known this was going to happen, I would have told you not to get involved.”
“A necromancer is an achievement of the continent. How can I pretend I didn’t see it and move on?”
“… There are times when you just can’t help it. There are limits to what I can do. So, let’s make this place our tomb?”
Of course, Jihyeok also understood Elaim’s situation. What would you do with only one healer and one mercenary? Just like she said, if the Count made up his mind and attacked her, she wouldn’t be safe either.
Even so, it was a bit unseemly to not even pretend to do it and try to let it go. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but feel grumpy.
… Was I such a righteous bastard?
Of course it wasn’t. Jihyeok was also cowardly and bad enough. … It’s just that this fairy bitch is more fucking bitch than that.
“This is an order. Hands off. Okay? There is a degree to being rude.”
“… All right.”
Anyway, Jihyeok had already thought of giving up. Then, since this happened, all the roles of the wicked bastard should be given to this fairy warrior.
Then he could remain the good guy who wanted to, but was forced to do so by orders. I took it as a reward for my hard work today.
“But what if the problem grows?”
“What the heck? I’ll have to put the blame on the Count. … You say you hate him too.”
“Even so… , There is no hard evidence.”
At that time, the fairy spread her pretty palm.
“Stop. Let’s stop talking about this Why worry unnecessarily about something that hasn’t even happened yet? Don’t worry about that, start with realistic concerns right now.”
“… Yes, warrior.”
“Then just go out. … Oh, and don’t tell Bella anything. Okay?”
“Yes.”
Jihyeok left the room.
… Aww, that ugly bastard.
Of course, the fairy also knew that this was not an issue to be overlooked. But I couldn’t help it. No matter how good the Count was, he could change at any time if evidence to shake the fund came out. … Almost all of them did. Die like this or die like that because that’s it. For now, try shutting your mouth.
The warrior pressed his temples with his fingers.
What’s so tricky about a mercenary brat? It’s just a matter of being flexible and going overboard…
Still, seeing as he didn’t stretch out and retreated moderately, he seemed to know that this wasn’t a matter of idle talk. … Maybe I’ve already given up on the inside, I don’t know.
Of course, she had a plan in her head to make a hole to escape in case of an emergency. Just like he said, if she’s really unlucky, a large spark could fly at her.
If I couldn’t do one of these things, I wouldn’t have become a hero in the first place.
Stupid guy
… However, the fairy was strangely concerned with him.
· · ·
“I had a really good rest. I will never forget this kindness.”
“Then I am very fortunate. See you next time if there is a chance.”
“Yes, then.”
The hero and the count said goodbye. The Hero group got into the wagon. This is-. The carriage carrying the three men and women soon left the city. Jihyeok snorted long as he watched Chronostan recede.
The hero has already learned about the group of ghouls. So, if the Count is not an idiot, he will take action to prevent further trouble.
But, judging from his lack of memory, fortunately this didn’t seem to be a big problem. … For now, I have no choice but to believe that and leave.
Even the elf did not have a comfortable expression. No matter how the situation is, it must be because of the guilt of neglect of duty.
However, Ji-hyeok did not want to discuss the matter that had left his hands any longer. With that, he didn’t want to bother the fairy any more…
Strictly speaking, the reason why he couldn’t solve this problem was partly due to his lack of ability. That meant that this thing would not only be her, but she would also be the thorn that pierced him.
“Oh, did yesterday’s work go well?”
Bella, not knowing the details, asked Ji-hyuk. He smiled casually.
“Looks like I got it wrong. No problem.”
“Is it so? … Thank god.”
Her naive virgin believed it so straight away. The fairy pretended not to know and only looked out of her window. Jihyeok also immediately looked away.
Bella sneakily peeked at Jihyeok. … Strangely, she wanted to keep seeing him.
After yesterday’s incident, she now fully acknowledged her feelings for him rationally. It was an unstoppable flow. Even if it’s her one-sided affection.
This… , Is it love?
Love-
At that word, her heart skipped a beat.
Of course, she also had the experience of liking someone. It’s natural to have a crush on people when you meet them.
But it was the first time in my life that I had such strong feelings. Simple crush and deep affection were definitely different. She could definitely feel the difference now.
Bella wanted to stand out from Jihyeok. I wanted him to look at himself. She wanted to see him smile.
… I wanted to be loved by him.
Having reached such a thought, she unknowingly glanced sideways at the warrior sitting next to her. The hero turned his head to the spear so his face could not be seen.
Strangely, whenever she saw the warrior, her confidence plummeted. The fairy Elaim was beautiful and even had powers. … I don’t want to compare, but I couldn’t help it.
Maybe Jihyeok… , Do you like the hero?
Bella wondered about that. I was so curious that I was impatient. She felt like she was going crazy wanting to know what Jihyeok was thinking.
But timid, she didn’t dare to bring it out of her mouth. All she had to do was grunt inside her. She was like that in the first place.
One-sided love.
It would have been nice for her to just look at him, but at the same time, it was a contradictory feeling, expecting him to look at her.
It was only now that she realized how painful unrequited love can be. It was completely different from the simple feelings of just reading dry type in a novel.
At that time, she was very frustrated with the heroine who couldn’t say that she liked it.
– If you like it, just say you like it. What is difficult?
… That was not it. It just wasn’t like that. Emotions far more complex than that were entangled in it like a skein of thread.
She was now able to feel the feeling of fear that the relationship could be twisted if she confessed.
Still, the female lead in the novel eventually won love with the male lead. Because she was a pretty and nice woman.
… But it wasn’t Bella. She was better than her and had a pretty woman right next to her.
Reality was not fiction.
“Bella, where are you feeling uncomfortable?”
“… Yes? … No.”
“Your expression looks a little bad…”
“No, it’s fine. I’m fine, I am.”
Bella smiled slightly.
To appear intact.
In order not to find out about unrequited love.
Jihyeok also slightly raised the corner of his mouth.
“Then I’m glad.”
I was so grateful for his caring heart. The more he did, the more his heart ached.
– I like you.
The words couldn’t get out of her throat.
Jihyo turned his head again.
Bella looked at his profile for a long time before she slowly lowered her gaze.
The carriage ran nonstop through the long field.
